Chapter 23:

We sat in silence on the ride home. The boys didn't understand why I was upset. I didn't understand what had happened in the cave.

I was worried about my newfound family.

The boys were worried about me.

When we finally got to Grandpa's, one by one they filed out of the car, Mike carrying a sleeping Star and Alan doing the same with Laddie.

I slammed the car door shut as I got out and Sam glanced at me, a mixture of sadness and fear on his face.

"Lilah," he started, grabbing my arm. I shrugged out of his grip and walked away from him, towards the house, which Mike and Alan had already reached. Edgar and Sam walked behind me, and although I didn't turn around, I could hear them whispering and knew that their conversation was about me.

When we got inside, the dogs were barking, Soda jumping up on Alan and Nanook looking at Mike suspiciously. "Cool it Nanook!" Sam yelled. "Your dog knows a flesh eater when he smells one!" Alan said, causing me to roll my eyes. "Come on Sam, take him outside." Mike pleaded. Sam complied and the boys went to walk upstairs when Grandpa came in. "Mike!" He exclaimed. "You know the rule about filling up the car with gas when taking it without asking?" Mike sighed. "No Grandpa." The old man smiled, not even bothering to question why his grandson was carrying an unconscious girl. "Well now you do!"

He walked into the kitchen and my eyes followed him as I realized... He may be exactly who I need to talk to.

"Hey G-" Sam put me in a headlock, hand over my mouth, and with Edgar's help dragged me upstairs, into Mike's room with the others.

The three half vampires were passed out on Mike's bed.

"Now what?" I asked, glaring at the boys. The three of them stared at me, almost as if they were afraid I had become what they most feared. "Lilah, what were you doing at the cave?" Sam asked quietly. There wasn't anger or malice. Just pure concern. I bit my lip and looked away. "I was perfectly fine there, thank you very much, and then you guys had to come and ruin it!" I hissed. "Well sorry for making sure you didn't turn into one of those bloodsuckers-" Sam started and I turned to face him, only him, sticking a finger in his chest. "Don't you ever talk about them like that, got it?"

"Lilah what am I supposed to say? They're killers! Raging killers! It's not safe for you-" "You don't get to decide what's safe for me and what's not, Sam. You're my cousin. But that doesn't give you rule over my life." Alan snorted. "You say that about him but look, David has you in the palm of his hand-" "Shut up!"

The boys weren't going to listen. They just weren't. "Keep David out of this! You guys really messed up, you know that? They weren't going to hurt you-" "Oh yeah sure, they just wanted a little sip of blood" Sam sarcastically said. "Is that it Lilah? Huh? They just want a little taste of blood and then they'll be on their way? Why do you think there's so many missing person's posters huh? They're killers." I shook my head. "They're not killers. They're my family, and families stick together. You guys just don't get it yet. You're making this whole plot against them and for what? You say they're killers, but you want to do the same thing to them. I can't believe you, any of you!"

"Lilah just because David-" Edgar started, making me freeze, instantly regretting spilling my guts in the cave. The whole situation was still new and strange to me, I couldn't expect any of them to comprehend it. I watched his face. Was he really going to out me like this to the guys?

I don't know if it was the pleading look on my face, or something else, but Edgar stopped, seemingly contemplating that maybe, just maybe, it was my story to tell.

"Look we don't have time for arguing about this. We're going to get supplies. You're staying here." Alan was very matter of fact as he and Sam ran out of the room. Edgar glanced to me and followed.

He didn't get too far before I was stopping him in the hallway, grabbing onto his arm.

"Why did you stop?" I asked, scanning his face. He seemed, blank. "I don't know" He said softly. "Saying that the bloodsucker is your father just makes fighting him seem-" "Wrong?" I finished, causing him to nod. "Then don't do it" I whispered. "You guys are crazy if you think you can fight vampires. And what is it for? What'll it do to benefit any of you? Mike and Star and Laddie are all already half-" "Exactly!" He exclaimed. "They're half. And if we kill the head vampire, they turn back to human, back to normal."

I glanced back into the room at the three sleeping vampires, who looked oh so tired.

"What's wrong with them the way they are though?" I asked quietly. Edgar sighed, pushing his hair back, seemingly growing increasingly frustrated with me. "They don't want to be killers, Lilah. What don't you understand about that?"

"I do understand." I turned back to face him. "And I don't want any of you to become killers either. There's gotta be another way." a few tears ran down my cheeks and Edgar wrapped me in a hug, pulling me close as I cried.

"This is dangerous," I said quietly. "Don't you understand? They don't want to fight you guys, for my sake, but y'all are on the offensive instead of defense. They're not going to take that lying down."

"What's a little danger to me?" He laughed. "Truth, Justice, and the American way, remember?"

"No Edgar, this is a different kind of dangerous."

"Are you coming or what?" We heard Alan call from downstairs. My best friend grinned at me, in a way he never had before. "It's worth it if it means you're safe." He leaned in and lightly kissed my lips before pulling away and running down the stairs. I heard the front door slam and tenderly touched my lips. My best friend kissed me. And I didn't like him like that. And I had a boyfriend.

Why didn't they think there was another way to go about this? I didn't want to see any of my family, undead or alive, get hurt.

There definitely had to be another way.

I checked on the three to make sure they were still passed out, before walking down the stairs and sneaking past the kitchen, where Grandpa was scarfing down some double thick Oreos. Lucky me, he didn't even notice as I slipped out the door.

How would I get to the cave though? I wasn't allowed to drive a car, and I didn't know how to keep my balance all by myself on Mike's bike.

Mickey Mouse trotted up to the edge of the fence and leaned his muzzle down for me to pat.

"You're right little buddy," I smiled. "You're my only option."

I climbed into the saddle quickly and off we went.

Never in my life had I wanted to get somewhere so badly.

But I guess literal life-or-death situations will do that to you.

A/N I admit it's super cringy, but it's a filler chapter. The action starts soon:)